US/IOA one day 2-parks timing?

[vtwep]

Hi,

Heading to US/IOA for a one-day 2-park trip on the final Thursday of October. We have narrowed our list of "must-dos", and we fully understand there may be things along the way that grab our attention and add to the list (kids' interests, etc). But we will try not to stray too far since we only have one day for both parks.

US is open 9-5 and IOA is 9-7. I was thinking of hitting US first since it closes earlier, and then heading over to IOA.

I have listed what we are trying to hit below. Based on this and the Thursday we are going, will the FOTL express passes help us significantly? I don't mind spending the money (we are not staying at Universal) if it will save us 2-3 hours in total on the day while allowing us to get everthing in.

US:
Disaster
ET
MIB
Mummy
Twister
Woody Woodpecker Coaster

IOA:
FJ
Flight of Hippogriff
Spiderman
Cat in the Hat
Dr. Doom Fear Fall
Dudley Do Right Ripsaw Falls
Jurassic Park River Adventure

I would appreciate any comments/advice.

Thanks!

 

[Metro West]

The Studios closes early that day because of Halloween Horror Nights so it's a good thing for you to do the Studios first and then IOA.

You shouldn't need Express Plus passes during the day for either park. If you get there and decide the lines are too long, you can purchase EPs at either park.

 

[vtwep]

Great - thanks! I am hoping we can do all that without the passes, but am willing to pay in order to see the entire list. Thanks for the advice - will judge wait-times once in and make a decision then. Appreciate it.

 

[katwriter]

Hi,

Our family is vactioning at Universal Orlando IOA right now, so I'll try to give you some up-to-date info. We are staying at a resort hotel, and during the weekend found it very helpful to get in early (at 8:00 instead of 9:00), especially for HP rides, FJ in particular. My DD has no school today, and one of the ride attendants told us that school days are much slower . . . I agree that you should probably wait and see if you need the express pass, but it does make a huge difference in wait time if the ride is crowded--we bypassed what looked like a one-hour wait yesterday to get directly onto the Hulk rollercoaster. And I do mean directly--we just walked to the front of the line and got on.

I just spoke to my DH, who is in the park now with our DD, and he said the Hulk ride today (Monday) has a 35-minute wait at 10:15 a.m. That will get a bit longer as the day goes on, and it is one of the most popular rides in the park outside of HP. Be aware that the express passes only work once, while staying at the resort will get you express entry on an unlimited basis with your room key.

FJ has the longest wait by far; it is awesome but the express passes are not accepted for it. If you have someone whose height prohibits them from riding, you may want to let them do the tour of the castle that leads up to the ride--it is excellent and includes holograms of several HP characters, as well as several talking pictures. Best time to ride it is first thing in the morning--as soon as the park opens. If you do the early entry, you will not have much of a wait. But since you're coming on a weekday that may not be as much of an issue anyway.

Whenever you get in, it is still best to go directly to HP first, since the lines just get longer as the day goes along. Turning left as soon as you enter Seuss World (instead of following the main track around to the right) is a bit faster. Another time-saver: at the entry to FJ, there are two lines: the right-hand one is for the lockers (they make you leave everything) and one for the actual ride. You can split here, sending one person to deposit everything in a locker while the rest of the party gets into line. There are several opportunities for the locker person to catch up--most likely the greenhouse, which is early on in the tour. Don't get on FJ with flip-flops--take them off and sit on them.

My DD is 10, and just meets all the height requirements. She has loved all the roller coasters, and if your children like them, the Dragon Challenge (which is actually two separate coasters, so two rides) was a favorite. It is in Hogsmeade and you'll be there anyway for FJ and Hippogriff, so if it fits it's not a bad side trip.

Regarding All Things HP: if you are going to be doing any HP shopping, you can get just about anything you'll want at the main souvenier emporium located in the Port of Entry (will be on your right as you're exiting). That includes wands, clothing (including robes), and candies such as chocolate frogs and Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans. What you can't get there: Butterbeer. If you decide to eat at The Three Broomsticks, we found that mid-afternoon was ideal--virtually no wait.

You've probably read elsewhere to avoid Ollivander's Wand Shop if you're short on time. This is good advice--my DH and DD were first in line yesterday because they were waiting at 8:00 for the gates to open for early admission, and they said that it's fun but only if you don't have to wait. Otherwise, you'll see lines stretched around the buildings and only one child per group of 15-20 is selected to "magically" choose a wand. And you can buy them elsewhere.

Some of the best HP photo locales (if you want a great pic of Hogwarts, or of Ron's flying car behind your subjects) are on the trail leading up to the Dragon Challenge.

Best wishes and have a great trip!

 

[vtwep]

katwriter - thanks for the up-to-date info and tips! Appreciate it. Will definitely share this info with our group as we make our plans. Thanks!!

 

[hpfan100]

Hi,

Heading to US/IOA for a one-day 2-park trip on the final Thursday of October. We have narrowed our list of "must-dos", and we fully understand there may be things along the way that grab our attention and add to the list (kids' interests, etc). But we will try not to stray too far since we only have one day for both parks.

US is open 9-5 and IOA is 9-7. I was thinking of hitting US first since it closes earlier, and then heading over to IOA.

I have listed what we are trying to hit below. Based on this and the Thursday we are going, will the FOTL express passes help us significantly? I don't mind spending the money (we are not staying at Universal) if it will save us 2-3 hours in total on the day while allowing us to get everthing in.

US:
Disaster
ET
MIB
Mummy
Twister
Woody Woodpecker Coaster

IOA:
FJ
Flight of Hippogriff
Spiderman
Cat in the Hat
Dr. Doom Fear Fall
Dudley Do Right Ripsaw Falls
Jurassic Park River Adventure

I would appreciate any comments/advice.

Thanks!

US first is best and the lines there will be shorter.

US:
Disaster (should be no line)
ET (shouldn't be too bad)
MIB (wait could be long, use single rider if you don't mind splitting up)
Mummy (wait could be long, use single rider if you don't mind splitting up)
Twister (should be no line, could be skipped, it's not very good)
Woody Woodpecker Coaster (shouldn't be that bad)

I would ride in this order:

(get there early before opening, rumor is sometimes they open early for the Shrek or Jimmy nuetron ride, worth it if it before opening)
Mummy (ride it twice if line is short)
Twister
Disaster
MIB (ride it twice if line is short)
Woody coaster
ET

if time see Shrek or Jimmy Neutron on your way out...worth it!!


IOA:
FJ (line will be crazy long, you can use single rider if you don't mind missing the castle or for a reride)
Flight of Hippogriff (line will be very short)
Spiderman (lines will be long here too, use that single rider if you want)
Cat in the Hat ( lines can get long here too)
Dr. Doom Fear Fall (lines should be short)
Dudley Do Right Ripsaw Falls (lines should be short, use a locker you will be soaked)
Jurassic Park River Adventure (line moves quickly, has single rider line, can get soaked)

I would ride in this order:
Spiderman (ride it twice if you can)
Dr. Doom
Dudley
Jurassic park
Flight of Hippogriff
FJ
Cat in Hat

You might want to cut across to cat in Hat before any potter rides if you would like to have more time in potterland.


Single Rider lines at USF and IOA
USF: mummy, MIB, Hollywood Rip
IOA: spiderman, Dr. Doom, Dudley, Hulk, Jurassic Park

I wouldn't buy the express passes...you probably don't need them. If you decide you want them then buy them when you get there and then I would reverse the order of parks. Go to IOA first and start with potter since that is the only area that you pass wouldn't help you. Then you can just walk right on all the other rides one time.

Hope this helps....

 

[cassandrap83]

What is this early-entry business? Do they sometimes open early without it being posted? (my friend & I are going on Saturday! woo hoo)

 

[hpfan100]

What is this early-entry business? Do they sometimes open early without it being posted? (my friend & I are going on Saturday! woo hoo)

Early entry is available to onsite hotel guests for IOA. It is one hour before normal times into WWOHP (usually 8 am).

I just read at some reliable web information that USF will open Jimmy or Shrek only early. It's not for sure every day but you never know.

 

[vtwep]

thanks for all the replies/info/tips! Appreciate it.

 

[Disneydenise]

Our all adult group is planning on visiting IA & US for only one day, Sunday October 24th. My daugther is a HP fan and wants to see the area Do you think we should do as much of HP then head to Hulk, ET and MIB and do you think we will be able to get this done and be at the airport in time for a 7:30 flight? We have a 2 day reservation at an osite hotel and we are willing to keep it although we will be checking out before Sunday night.

 

[hpfan100]

Our all adult group is planning on visiting IA & US for only one day, Sunday October 24th. My daugther is a HP fan and wants to see the area Do you think we should do as much of HP then head to Hulk, ET and MIB and do you think we will be able to get this done and be at the airport in time for a 7:30 flight? We have a 2 day reservation at an osite hotel and we are willing to keep it although we will be checking out before Sunday night.

If you are staying onsite then start with Potter and move on to hulk etc after. Since you get the express pass and it does not apply to the FJ ride. It also depends on how crowded it is.

To make a 7:30 flight on Sunday means you won't have much time in the parks at all. Maybe 9-3 or 3:30. I'm not sure if you can see both parks in that short amount of time.